• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log out
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Nashville Predators

Nashville Predators: 5 Storylines to Watch Heading into the 2013-14 Season

By Nick Vucic October 2nd, 2013

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

With under a couple of days to go until the Predators open the 2013-14 season in St. Louis against the Blues, there’s no lack of intrigue in Nashville.  Over the next 6 days, the Predators will not only make their final cuts, but set their lines, hoping to improve upon their non-playoff finish last year.  With pressure starting to build on both the players and the management, here are the five key story-lines to watch heading into the 2013-14 season.

Poile in the Hot Seat?

While most will look at General Manager’s David Poile’s time at the reins of the Nashville Predators and see overwhelming success with little resources, it must be noted that this will be 17th consecutive year as Predator’s GM and in that time the Predators will have only made it to the Conference Semi-finals twice.  For some, it may seem like déjà-vu for those who are familiar with Poile’s career, as his 15-year tenure with the Washington Capitals, a team that once also had limited resources, was ended with only one trip to the Conference Finals, resulting in a sweep by the Bruins.

With a multitude of offseason moves, bringing in a mix of veterans and grit, many fans were left wondering about whom on the Predators would provide the offense.  If the Predators fail to find their offensive touch, its likely that Poile, who was recognized for his work by being named General Manager of the 2014 US Olympic Hockey team, could find himself looking for employment elsewhere.  Without at least a playoff appearance, the Predators would be likely to determine if this is the end of the road for Poile.

Seth Jones

The 2013 Draft may have looked different if it came after a full NHL season (Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)

Spotlight on Seth

Drafted fourth overall in the 1st round of this year’s NHL Entry Draft, few players taking the ice at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis will be doing so with the amount of pressure to succeed that has been placed on Seth Jones’s shoulder.  After the departure of Ryan Suter to the Minnesota Wild last offseason, the Predators found a practicable replacement in the Swiss 23-year old, Roman Josi.  Although Josi played admirably over the season, it was no shock to hear that Jones will be given the first chance alongside Shea Weber to start the season.

With all of the patrons of the Bridgestone Arena looking forward to some flash from the blue-line, Seth Jones will be entering the picture with already heightened expectations.  Jones will have little time to adjust to the NHL before fans and the media start to criticize the Predators’ choice.

Flipping over Filip

Picked up in exchange for Martin Erat in a trade with the Washington Capitals, Filip Forsberg has a golden opportunity to provide the flair on offense that the Predators have been sorely missing with the absence of a player like Radulov.  The 19-year old, out of Sweden was selected 11th overall in 2012 by the Capitals.

After the addition of Seth Jones to the defense corps, the pressure will be put squarely on Forsberg to perform.  While Martin Erat was always more than just a serviceable forward, Forsberg is expected to become an offensive juggernaut that could provide the spark this team has been looking for.

Viktor Stalberg Blackhawks

(Icon SMI)

Kicking Ice, Taking Names

Well, if Poile can be criticized for not adding significant scoring prowess over the offseason, one thing that most can agree upon is that the Predators got a lot tougher to play against.  Through free agency, Poile added Matt Cullen, Viktor Stalberg, Matt Hendricks, and Eric Nystrom, and re-signed Rich Clune, providing the Predators with a considerable upgrade to their grit, as well as adding to their veteran leadership.

Fresh off a Stanley Cup victory with the Chicago Blackhawks, 27-year old Viktor Stalberg’s 6-3 frame should help open up the ice for the Predators, as long as he continues to use it effectively as he did during the playoffs.  Whereas free-agent gem Matt Hendricks, a utility-infielder type-player with the Washington Capitals in the 2012-13 season, can play on the penalty kill as well as both wings and center and should come in handy in a variety of situations.

What’s clear by these moves is that heading into the 2013-14 season, Poile desired to build a team that was physically bruising to grind the tough and tumble Central Division down.

Centrally Focused

One of the most intriguing, but yet least surprising story-lines heading into the 2013-14 season is the division realignment that was

Winnipeg Jets - Photo By Andy Martin Jr

Winnipeg Jets – Photo By Andy Martin Jr

approved in the offseason, subtracting the Detroit Red Wings and adding the Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, and Dallas Stars.  While there is potential for expanded rivalries with these newcomers, including built-in story-lines around 2013 draftees and former star defenseman, it will be difficult to emulate the rivalry the Predators, and their fans, built with the Motor City.

At the same time, the Predators are going to be faced with a lot of unknowns in this new format, especially since only 4 teams from the division will be getting a shot at the playoffs this year.  With the Blackhawks and Blues annual contenders for a playoff spot that will most likely leave the other 5 teams to battle for the final 2 slots.

What is really not known so far is how the Predators will fit in to their new division, especially with their recent struggles.  Will they find themselves in the middle of the field or could their lack of offense put them squarely in the basement?

The NHL regular season schedule was released on Friday. Check out our partners at TiqIQ for the best deals on Nashville Predators tickets for all 2013-14 games.

  • Tags
  • David Poile
  • Filip Forsberg
  • Matt Cullen
  • Matt Hendricks
  • Rich Clune
  • Seth Jones
  • Viktor Stalberg
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 22nd 11:37 AM
Archives

50 in 50 for Mike Bossy

Jan 22nd 11:25 AM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Caufield, Dobes, Power & More

Jan 22nd 11:15 AM
Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars Road Schedule Ravaged By COVID-19

Jan 22nd 10:55 AM
College Hockey

College Hockey Report: Riley vs. Riley, Family Members Faceoff Behind the Bench

Jan 22nd 10:45 AM
Nashville Predators

Predators: 3 Early Observations From the Young Season

Jan 22nd 10:35 AM
Washington Capitals

Capitals’ Backstrom Is Most Underrated Player in the NHL

Jan 22nd 10:25 AM
Colorado Avalanche

Kings Turn Tables On Avalanche For 4-2 Win

Jan 22nd 10:15 AM
Dallas Stars

3 Focuses for the Dallas Stars on Opening Night

Jan 22nd 10:05 AM
New York Islanders

Islanders Top Devils as Mat Barzal Continues to Grow

Jan 22nd 9:55 AM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Will Never Replace Joe Thornton in the Locker Room

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information